Open Access Article

Title: Demonstration projects in transition processes to sustainable energy and transport

Authors: Antje Klitkou

Addresses: Department for Studies in Research and Innovation, NIFU Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education, P.O. Box 2815, Tøyen, Oslo 0608, Norway

Abstract: In this paper, an analysis was made of the role of public support schemes funding demonstration, test and trial activities for sustainable development in energy and road transport. This paper presents the analysis of the effects of demonstration projects in transition processes to sustainable energy and transport in the Scandinavian countries on the development of knowledge networks and on interaction with users. The main purpose of this paper is: (1) to analyse the role of publically funded demonstration projects concerning changes in knowledge networks of project participants over time; (2) analysing policy priorities in collaboration by the public funding programmes. The paper addresses following research questions: (1) How successful are Scandinavian demonstration projects in contributing to the development of knowledge networks for sustainable energy and transport transitions? (2) Do Scandinavian demonstration programmes prioritise learning in international knowledge networks and user involvement? (3) How have demonstration projects contributed to transition processes?

Keywords: demonstration projects; networking; social network analysis; SNA; sustainable energy; sustainable transport; transition processes; public funding; road transport; sustainability; sustainable development; Scandinavia; knowledge networks; policy priorities; collaboration; learning; user involvement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFIP.2016.078370

International Journal of Foresight and Innovation Policy, 2016 Vol.11 No.1/2/3, pp.96 - 125

Received: 23 Jun 2015
Accepted: 15 Apr 2016

Published online: 15 Aug 2016 *